Healthy habits at school
Students learn the basics of taking care of their bodies during the school day. That means washing hands, covering coughs, eating a real breakfast, and getting enough sleep.
What does a student learn in
These are the years students learn that healthy habits are choices they can practice every day. Students name the basics that keep a body well, like washing hands, eating a range of foods, sleeping enough, and moving their bodies. They learn who the trusted adults are when something feels wrong or unsafe, and how to ask for help in clear words. By spring, students can talk through a simple choice, like what to do when a friend is hurt, and explain why their choice keeps people safe.
- Healthy habits
- Trusted adults
- Feelings and friendships
- Safety
- Making choices
Year at a glance
How the year usually goes. Every school and district set their own curriculum, so treat this as a guide, not official pacing.
- 1
- 2
Feelings and friendships
Students put words to big feelings and practice kind ways to talk with classmates. They learn what to say when something feels unfair and how to listen when a friend is upset.
- 3
Safe choices and trusted adults
Students learn who counts as a trusted adult and how to ask for help. They practice spotting safe and unsafe situations at home, at school, and on the playground.
- 4
Setting small health goals
Students pick a small goal like drinking more water or going to bed on time, then track how it goes. They also learn to question messages from ads, screens, and packaging.
- 5
Speaking up for health
Students share what they have learned with family and classmates. They make posters, give short talks, or remind others about handwashing, kindness, and safety rules.
Mastery Learning Standards
The required skills a student should display by the end of Kindergarten.
Health Education
Health Education
- Grades K-2
Use functional knowledge of health concepts to support health and well-being of…
Students learn basic health facts, like why sleep matters or how germs spread, and use that knowledge to make simple choices that help themselves and the people around them stay well.
- Grades K-2
Analyze influences that affect health and well-being of self and others
Students look at why people make the health choices they do, like how friends, family, or ads shape what we eat, how we move, or how we treat others.
- Grades K-2
Access valid and reliable resources to support health and well-being of self…
Students learn to find trustworthy sources of health information, like a doctor, a parent, or a school nurse, and use what they learn to help themselves or someone else.
- Grades K-2
Use interpersonal communication skills to support health and well-being of self…
Students practice asking for help, saying no, and listening carefully so they and the people around them stay safe and feel good.
- Grades K-2
Use a decision-making process to support health and well-being of self and…
Students practice a simple step-by-step way to make choices, like deciding what to eat or how to handle a disagreement, that keeps themselves and others safe and healthy.
- Grades K-2
Use a goal-setting process to support health and well-being of self and others
Students pick a simple health goal, like drinking more water or getting to bed on time, and name the steps to reach it. They practice planning ahead for themselves and for the people around them.
- Grades K-2
Demonstrate practices and behaviors to support health and well-being of self…
Students practice everyday habits that keep themselves and the people around them healthy, like washing hands, getting enough sleep, or speaking up when something feels wrong.
- Grades K-2
Advocate to promote health and well-being of self and others
Students speak up for healthy choices, for themselves and the people around them. That might mean asking a grown-up for help, encouraging a friend to drink water, or explaining why rest matters.
| Standard | Definition | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Use functional knowledge of health concepts to support health and well-being of… Grades K-2 | Students learn basic health facts, like why sleep matters or how germs spread, and use that knowledge to make simple choices that help themselves and the people around them stay well. | NH-HE.1.k-2 |
| Analyze influences that affect health and well-being of self and others Grades K-2 | Students look at why people make the health choices they do, like how friends, family, or ads shape what we eat, how we move, or how we treat others. | NH-HE.2.k-2 |
| Access valid and reliable resources to support health and well-being of self… Grades K-2 | Students learn to find trustworthy sources of health information, like a doctor, a parent, or a school nurse, and use what they learn to help themselves or someone else. | NH-HE.3.k-2 |
| Use interpersonal communication skills to support health and well-being of self… Grades K-2 | Students practice asking for help, saying no, and listening carefully so they and the people around them stay safe and feel good. | NH-HE.4.k-2 |
| Use a decision-making process to support health and well-being of self and… Grades K-2 | Students practice a simple step-by-step way to make choices, like deciding what to eat or how to handle a disagreement, that keeps themselves and others safe and healthy. | NH-HE.5.k-2 |
| Use a goal-setting process to support health and well-being of self and others Grades K-2 | Students pick a simple health goal, like drinking more water or getting to bed on time, and name the steps to reach it. They practice planning ahead for themselves and for the people around them. | NH-HE.6.k-2 |
| Demonstrate practices and behaviors to support health and well-being of self… Grades K-2 | Students practice everyday habits that keep themselves and the people around them healthy, like washing hands, getting enough sleep, or speaking up when something feels wrong. | NH-HE.7.k-2 |
| Advocate to promote health and well-being of self and others Grades K-2 | Students speak up for healthy choices, for themselves and the people around them. That might mean asking a grown-up for help, encouraging a friend to drink water, or explaining why rest matters. | NH-HE.8.k-2 |
Common Questions
What does health class actually cover at this age?
Students learn the basics of taking care of themselves and being kind to others. That includes washing hands, eating a range of foods, getting enough sleep, naming feelings, and knowing who to ask for help. The focus is on simple habits, not memorizing facts.
How can families reinforce healthy habits at home?
Talk through everyday choices out loud. When packing lunch, picking a bedtime, or putting on a helmet, say why. Five minutes of conversation while brushing teeth or walking to the bus does more than any worksheet at this age.
How should health topics be sequenced across the year?
Start with personal habits like handwashing, sleep, and naming feelings, since those come up daily. Move into safety, food, and getting along with others in the middle of the year. Save advocacy and goal-setting for spring, once students can describe a habit before they try to set one.
What if a child does not want to talk about feelings or their body?
That is normal at this age. Keep the language simple and matter-of-fact, and use books or pretend play as a way in. A puppet or a stuffed animal with a stomachache is often easier to talk about than a real worry.
Which skills usually need the most reteaching?
Asking for help with the right words and saying no in a calm voice both take repeated practice. Decision-making also needs more passes than expected, because young students tend to jump to the first option. Build in short role-plays across the year, not a single unit.
How is health connected to what students do in other subjects?
Health skills show up all day. Naming feelings supports reading and writing about characters. Following a recipe or sorting food groups overlaps with math and science. Pointing this out helps the habits stick.
How do families know students are ready for the next grade in health?
By the end of second grade, students should be able to name a few healthy habits, describe a feeling without acting it out, and tell a trusted adult when something is wrong. They should also know basic safety rules for crossing the street, riding a bike, and being online.